We are now all looking for ways to live more sustainably and with Christmas around the corner, we thought we could have a look at ways to reduce waste at the most wonderful time of the year. Not only does this help the planet, but it also means you can get these treasures out every year, creating festive traditions along the way. So head this way for our top tips for a sustainable Christmas.
Sustainable Christmas Decorations
First up is Fabric Christmas Decorations; you barely have to whisper the two words Christmas and Decoration on Pinterest and there are instantly hundreds of ideas to choose from. But our favourite way to make our own simple Christmas decorations is with bunting; this is because it can be used in so many different places around your home. Mini bunting is ideal for smaller Christmas trees, while larger bunting is great to hang across the ceiling. How about some to go over the fireplace or just behind wherever you hang your Christmas stockings? Bunting is pretty simple to make but is always effective and it’s not really a party without it.
If you are looking for some co-ordinated but different fabrics for your bunting, how about using one of our Christmas Fat Quarter packs to whip up a length for your home?
But maybe you are thinking your tree needs some simple decorations with some more character, well our felt square collection is the perfect place to start if you wanted to whip up a snowman, candy cane or maybe even Father Christmas himself. Felt decorations like this are great to make something which is totally unique to your family too, like this London Bus.
Shop our Felt Fabric Collection
Sustainable Advent Calendar
We have long been big fans of a fabric advent calendar which you can pop any form of treat in for the month then use over and over again. In fact we try to stock a new Advent panel every year to make sure you have enough options if you have new little ones in the family. At the moment we have Advent Panels featuring London or an even cuter one with all the Elves working away on our other presents.
Browse our Advent Calendar Panels
If a panel isn’t really what you were looking for, how about whipping up a set of bunting but instead of the flags, you can use little bags to pop the chocolates in.
Everyone will look forward to that coming out every year…
Sustainable Christmas Tablecloths and Napkins
The Christmas table is the most special table of the entire year, and as a result, it’s usually filled with many things like napkins, crackers and decorations. Unfortunately, these are usually heavy on the plastic, so to avoid this, why not look at making a simple table runner in a classic Christmas cotton to use for many years to come.
To make sure it always goes with your Christmas theme it might be best to stick with the traditional Christmas colours of red, green, gold and maybe silver too.
Christmas Table Runner Pattern by The Crafty Nomad
If you aren’t new to the idea of a Sustainable Christmas, why not add some simple napkins into the mix, which can be simply washed and put away with the other decorations ready for next year. The best fabric for napkins is either 100% cotton or 100% linen as you want it to be as absorbent as possible. So again you can pick one of our Christmas cottons that matches or complements your table runner; knowing you have a beautiful table may also take away some of the stress of hosting Christmas dinner. Not only for your own table but what a lovely gift idea for someone else hosting the big event.
Oh and finally, the best size for napkins are roughly 20 inches by 20 inches or 50cm by 50cm meaning you can usually get 2 out of the width of most Christmas fabrics.
Sustainable Christmas Crackers
Now bear with us on this, we know what you are thinking, will crackers made from fabric actually “crack”? Well after some research, we have found a clever way which means they will make that familiar noise, simply by using a snap faster from Instructables. They recommend cotton craft fabric, and you can make 6 with just a metre of fabric. And apart from the sustainability of making your crackers to re-use, it also means you can fill them with things people will actually want limiting waste even more.
Instructables Re-Usable Christmas Crackers
Sustainable Christmas Party Hats
A key part of Christmas is pulling crackers, wearing a paper hat then forgetting about it and wearing it all day. We have found a simple crown pattern which means you can create personalised Christmas party hats to reuse every year to save on throwing the paper ones away. Swop the blue star fabric for a green or red Christmas star fabric and voilà, you are Christmas ready.
Silhouette DIY Fabric Crown and Red Christmas Golden Falling Stars
With ties at the back, the Christmas hats will even allow them to still fit as members of the family grow up and get a bit bigger. You can make these simple crowns/party hats from any cotton fabric and with our vast range you will be able to whip up a party hat, that is totally suited to the people around the table.
Make your Own Christmas Party Outfits
And finally, the Christmas Party season also means you have to smarten up and be ready to party; to be able to do that you must have an outfit which is both comfortable and let’s be honest, sparkly. So how about whipping up a simple top in our glittery sweatshirt fabric; that way you can wear it for Christmas Jumper Day and again to a party the following week. The best sweatshirt pattern is the Linden Sweatshirt from the Grainline studio. A simple top like this can be dressed up or down, and in a sparkly fabric, it’s perfect for the party season.
Shop for Glitter Sweatshirt Fabric
If you aren’t a simple sweatshirt kinda person, and instead you were thinking of something more slinky, you need to check out our Satin range. It features a great range of Christmas colours - red, green and black and you still have time to sew up a cute slip skirt to wear over and over again, even after the Christmas period.
DIY Sustainable Christmas
Of course if you want to be even more sustainable, don't immediately buy fabric to make your Christmas party wear, see if your fabric stash already contains some Christmas remnants which will be perfect for some of the smaller projects. Otherwise, be sure to browse our Christmas collection for some great value Christmas cotton.
